Position Summary

The Academic Advisor serves as a staff member in the College of Sciences assigned to the Center for Student Success (CSS). They will provide academic advising to undergraduate College of Science (CoS) students, implement initiatives to improve communications to students through in-person presentations and web-based technology and will also facilitate student success through program/workshop development and/or implementation.  

The Academic Advisor will also provide support for students experiencing concerns regarding academic advisement, course selection, and degree evaluation as well as give information to prospective students about science majors and the College of Science in general.  Providing guidance and personal counseling related to self-awareness, personal growth and academic probation that facilitates the continuation of students towards degree goals is also a responsibility of the Academic Advisor.  This position will work with and meet regularly with individual CoS departmental faculty advisers/chairs to ensure advising that is consistent with departmental messaging and curricular nuances.

SDSU is an innovative institution that promotes and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do: research, teaching, professional development, student experiences in and outside the classroom, and community relationships. Our values compel us to foster such an environment, where community members of all identities can thrive. We embrace SDSU’s identity as a Hispanic-Serving Institution on the border and recognize our residence on Kumeyaay land. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to serving and/or addressing issues related to underrepresented populations.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. This position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs (Some evening and weekend hours will be required.)

The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The College of Sciences includes eight academic departments, an additional eight degree-issuing programs, eight joint doctoral programs, seventeen research centers and institutes, fifteen Student Support Programs, numerous research groups, clinics and labs, as well as a number of off-campus instructional and research centers, including the Mount Laguna Observatory, Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, Sky Oaks Field Stations, Fortuna Mountain Research Reserve, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Coastal Marine Institute. There are over 300 full- and part-time faculty and 100 clerical and technical employees. There are a wide variety of interests in both teaching and research.

The College of Sciences Student Success Center, located in GMCS 429, aims to enhance the educational experience and facilitate graduation for all students in the sciences. We work toward these goals by aiming to improve access to information, resources, academic advising, and to provide structure and support to our departmental advisers. The College of Sciences Student Success Center serves as the physical hub for our partnerships with study abroad, on and off campus internships, undergraduate research, and other undergraduate programs in the College of Sciences.  

The College of Sciences Student Success Center also focuses on lower division pre-major advising, exploratory major selection advising (other majors considering a science major, and science majors considering a different science major), science career related resources and advising, resources for preparation for graduate school in the sciences, and managing graduation, retention, and other student success initiatives. Moreover, the center is responsible for the identification of students with academic problems and reaching out to intervene or provide appropriate referrals for these students as necessary. 

For more information regarding the College of Sciences Center for Student Success, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job-related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. 

Possession of the required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A masters degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the basic principles of individual and group behavior; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a diverse range of students, staff and faculty.
• Working knowledge of barriers for students from underrepresented groups.
• Recognize multicultural, multisexed and multi‑aged value systems and work accordingly.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and presenting to diverse audiences of varying size.
• Some background or experiences in the sciences is preferred.
• Experience working in a college or university’s admissions, advising, evaluations, registrar, or other student service-related office is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Report writing.
• Updating websites.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $4,841 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. 

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,841 - $6,884 per month. 

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. 

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement.  For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on May 23, 2024.  To receive full consideration, apply by May 22, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Tina Deesen at tdeesen@sdsu.edu